Journal of Dental Medicine

Amelogenesis imperfecta is an inherited disease that disturbs the formation of the enamel. It occurs as two main categories, hypomineralized and hypoplastic. Both deciduous and permanent teeth are affected, and the disorder may create unaesthetic appearance, dental sensitivity, and severe attrition. In this article through performing a structured literature review, numerous treatment modalities which so far advocated in rehabilitation of amelogenesis imperfecta in adults and children is discussed. The progressive changes on open bite, the problem of bonding during restorative phase of treatment , the rehabilitation difficulties of deciduous as well as permanent teeth is also discussed in detail and finally the interdisciplinary approach for treatment of this disability is demonstrated and some points for decision making in treatment protocols are suggested.

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zirconia and base metal cores on the color of restorations. Furthermore, the effect of different backings on the color of cercon zirconia was evaluated.
Materials and Methods: The specimens were Cercon zirconia and metal ceramic discs with "high Au" and "base metal" alloys. Cercon zirconia discs were veneered with veneering shade of A2 and two thickness of porcelain (0.7 mm, 1.2 mm). There were 3 discs in each group. Metal ceramic discs were made of "nickel-chromium" alloy (Verobond) and "high Au" alloy (World 89) and two shades (A2, A3.5) and two thicknesses of veneering porcelain. 3 types of backing (high Au, nickel-chromium and A3 shade composite) were made for Cercon zirconia discs. Spectrophotometric evaluation of zirconia discs (on 3 backings) and metal ceramic discs was done. One-way ANOVA and Tukey tests were used for data analysis.
Results: There were no significant differences between the amounts of L*, a*, b* for Cercon zirconia on different backings (P>0.05). In comparison between different core groups, a* was significantly higher in metal ceramic groups compared with that of zirconia groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Cercon zirconia can completely mask the underlying backing.

Background and Aims: Approximately 5% of cancers involve structures of oral cavity. Partial resection of maxilla (maxillectomy) may be performed in these cases. Maxillectomy often results in significant functional disabilities such as inability in mastication, deglutition and speech with adverse impact on psychological status and social life of patients. Obturator prosthesis is a prosthodontic treatment to separate nasal and oral cavities and restore the critical above mentioned functions. The assessment of speech is considered to examine speech function restored by the treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the speech in patients with resected maxilla who have been treated by obturator prosthesis from a pool of related patients in the Prosthodotnics department of dental faculty, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The evaluation was performed with computer software using sentence intelligibility (SI) test.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 10 subjects (23-66 years) referred to the Prosthodontics department of the faculty and received an obturator. After primary examination of the prosthesis, the patients completed SI test in an acoustic room under guidance of a speech therapist. The performed tests were analyzed by the speech therapist. In addition, the SI with and without the prosthesis was evaluate by lay audience. The statistical analyses were performed using Wilcoxon-signed rank test and Weighted Kappa.

Results: Significant differences were found between SI tests with and without the obturators (P<0.001). Two of 10 patients showed problems in speech function using obturator.

Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, obturators had significant effect on improvement of the speech outcomes of examined patients. Improvement of the quality of life could be predicted.